Rico Gathers wants to eventually replace Jason Witten

[Fletch]

Like the confidence. Like his eagerness too. Now go out and prove it Rico. Let's see what ya got.

 

[4lifecowboy]

confidence or arrogance?

Need a bit of both to be great, don't you?

 

[Denim Chicken]

Need a bit of both to be great, don't you?

No, I wouldn't call Witten arrogant at all.

 

[Reality]

I want to be the heir apparent to Jerry Jones! Heck, I'll just take being a regular heir of Jerry Jones.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

I think this guy is gonna be a player. Not a Witten-level guy, but a pretty good little (big) player.

 

[TheFinisher]

I mean he's a freak for the position size wise, I always question the toughness of these basketball converts but the thought of a 6'8 285lb TE with a nasty streak is pretty exciting

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

You guys are weird. You can hype players up but damn them to hell if they try to hype themselves up

 

[AmericasTeam81]

It's going to be a beautiful sight when Rico is catching touchdown passes from Romo and Dak over the next few regular seasons.

 

[superjoe]

Those are big shoes to try and fill Rico, JWit is an all-pro on and off the field...humble too. It would take a total commitment to the craft and the spirit of the game. So at this point I think I would be happy if you where the next Dan Campbell at least

 

[Toruk_Makto]

confidence or arrogance?

I'm not cocky i'm confident. So when you say i'm the best...I take it as a compliment.

 

[Alexander]

Those are big shoes to try and fill Rico, JWit is an all-pro on and off the field...humble too.

Not so sure about the on the field part. Humility is hard to sell when you are a massive trash talker like Witten supposedly is.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I want to see him block before I am sold but I am definitely encouraged by what I have seen and heard.

 

[superjoe]

Not so sure about the on the field part. Humility is hard to sell when you are a massive trash talker like Witten supposedly is.

I still consider the vocal part of the game part of the craft. When I played, you got guys who cussed you out, to guys that complimented your shoes and all approaches in between. That's all part of the psychological game that's played, especially at receiver/db when you line up on a guy and you have to neutralize him. Trash talking happens at all levels from pop to pro. For the young ones you try and instill more of a sportsmanship mentality, but as a pro you need to use every competitive edge you can just short of dirty or cheap shots, on the field.

JWitt has earned like two or three man of the year awards, that's a heavy commitment to a cause other than yourself. He also uses the media to his advantage heaping praise on his team mates and trying not to get into precarious scenarios.

Also comparatively at this point in his career JWitt had put in time at Tennessee learning and came into a system under Parcells who is know to knock you down a peg. To me that shows how far ahead JWitt was as a young player, mentally he was tougher than the regular rookie.

Not saying Rico is wrong for what he says, but I would be happy if he achieves a modicum of play recognition along with improved blocking. His catching and size will be there but for year one, Dan Campbell would be a homerun for him.

 

[robjay04]

Surprised seeing so many pessimistic on this guy. You don't need to spend an elite pick on a tight end for him to be a good player. Many of the better tight ends around the league were not a premium draft pick.

Physically? He has everything you want now we just got to see if he picked up the mental aspect of the game.

 

[Risen Star]

Does Gathers seem like a plodder to anyone? I'll be interested to see if he plays a little faster this year as he's more comfortable with the sport.

 

[Chuck 54]

At 280, Rico will earn a spot on the roster this season. He will definitely have a spot on the line in short yardage and goal line, and he'll get a chance to prove he can contribute in the red zone. That's more than enough for me in his second season.

 

[Alexander]

At 280, Rico will earn a spot on the roster this season. He will definitely have a spot on the line in short yardage and goal line, and he'll get a chance to prove he can contribute in the red zone. That's more than enough for me in his second season.

Just because he is 280 does not mean he is ready to be a short yardage player.

That takes being able to use leverage effectively, which is doubtful he has mastered in just a year after not playing organized football since junior high school.

 

[T-RO]

He's not going to be a downfield weapon as he doesn't have top speed nor will be nimble in his cuts. But if he can block, be a big target in short/medium range...make a few DBs bounce off him...he can contribute a lot.

 

[reddyuta]

confidence or arrogance?

I hope it's both, you need both to replace a Hall of famer.

 

[jazzcat22]

I still consider the vocal part of the game part of the craft. When I played, you got guys who cussed you out, to guys that complimented your shoes and all approaches in between. That's all part of the psychological game that's played, especially at receiver/db when you line up on a guy and you have to neutralize him. Trash talking happens at all levels from pop to pro. For the young ones you try and instill more of a sportsmanship mentality, but as a pro you need to use every competitive edge you can just short of dirty or cheap shots, on the field.

.

So you got trash talked in pop warner football....dang, tough crowd....prepared you for this place....